Increase attack without losing low end

[bpaluzzi]

Was the question.
I don't think any clear or coated head of any brand makes it harder or easier to play faster.
It's either a practice thing or a tuning thing. I like a fat thuddy rock sound, so I've practiced my rolls so I can achieve what I want with that kind of set up.

I interpreted it as actually asking for more articulation, so that fast playing can be heard more cleanly.

 

[Houndog]

You sound faster when you play clean …

 

[Whitten]

Agreed, either way, it has more to do with practice and tuning choices than which head you buy.

 

[Seb77]

If you want more rebound, maybe single-ply heads are the answer. At the same tension, a single ply might work better throwing the stick back.
Higher tuning as well: you can still get a lot of low end from tighter drums, it's just that the overtones from the tauter batter head are added. The difference in pitch between what's usually thought of as low or high tuning is not that much when you look at the whole frequency spectrum. The fundamental tone of a given drum will be maybe a fourth interval apart, which is not more than going from one size to the other.

I just saw a video of Simon Phillips setting up and checking his drums: it's a downright tight bop sound (12" tom at fundamental f). Pingy batter head sound yes, but there is enough low end underneath for a boomy sound (with the aid of some eq later, probably). So,for best rebound and a full sound, try a Simon Phillips approach: use Ambassadors tuned medium to high.
28min in:

Video clip (no idea if the audio has the exact same drums, though)

 

[Treviso1]

As a long time Gretsch player, I will tell you that my experiences are that I only like single ply Remo Ambassadors (Coated and/or Clear) on them. The way that those heads work on that shell with the die cast hoops is pure magic. There's nothing quite like them.

 

[BennyK]

Try tightening up your bottom head ala Bonham .

 

[Elvis]

I have a 24/13/16/18 Gretsch kit. I use Remo vintage emperors on the toms.

I’m wondering how to get more attack off the heads so I can play a little faster but I don’t want to compromise my low end (rock sound). Do I need to switch to a black dot head? Or am I overthinking this?

Either apply a dot (if you can find them), or get a dotted version of the batter head, or a dotted reasonable facsimile.
I used CS Black Dots back in the 80's and I always noticed an increased amount of attack.
I suppose they would work applied under the head, but I always used them on top of the head.
The way I see it, not only do you enjoy increased attack, you also get more life out of your head, because there's an extra layer of material on them.

 

[thejohnlec]

Someone mentioned earlier about stick size. What are you currently using for sticks? Moving up a size may give you the effect you want.

I play a variety of styles with wood tip 5B Vaters. I get plenty of attack (very even across the whole kit with the little bit of weight on the stick) and no sacrifice in tone, sustain, or low end. Toms have 2-ply on top and single ply on the bottom, no muffling.